Foundation

SEND students gaining coaching badges thanks to Foundation

Sandwell College students with physical and learning disabilities have been given the opportunity to begin their coaching careers by gaining their FA Level One coaching badge.

The 16 students on the charity’s Learning Programme at the College have been learning the fundamentals of coaching at Portway Lifestyle Centre, with the aim of developing their career options after leaving college.

The opportunity is also there for the newly-qualified coaches to become part of the Foundation’s Albion Cares project.

The scheme aims to support young adults with disabilities or additional needs to gain work experience through voluntary placements with a view to gaining full-time employment.

For participant, Callum Leake, gaining his coaching badge will allow him to do something he has always wanted to do.

“I always wanted to do something different to help other people with disabilities as well as to try and get involved and help them improve their skills,” Callum said.

“I’ve had loads of support and advice, and thanks to this coaching badge, it will give me more improvements,” he said.

And achieving their level one badge, for some, will only be the beginning of their coaching journeys according to FA Tutor, Dave Lawrence.

“I feel like as long as they’ve got good guidance then I’d certainly anticipate some of these coaches going onto level two,” said Dave.

“The hope is now to see them going back into the community to go and inspire people,” he said.

To find out more about the Foundation and Sandwell College’s Learning Programme, please email ajay.gill@albionfoundation.co.uk.